to enable them to learn about the scheme of creation of the universe and its ultimate end; so that what is unseen they may have foreknowledge of before the present world comes to an end, when the unseen

their deeds. Some people believe in presenting Islam to non-Muslims as a better worldly system. But this assumption is based on false premise. For, if Islam were presented fundamentally in the form of a

a better worldly system, acceptance of Islam would appear to the addressee as simply a way of solving the problems of this world. That is to say, the aim of Islam would appear to be to offer the means to

ACTIONS MATTERSincerity AT THE TIME of the Prophet of Islam, there were certain people in Madinah who talked of truth, yet did nothing for its sake and used beautiful words to cover up their misdeeds.

Exposing them, the Quran says: Those who exult in their misdeeds and love to be praised for what they have not done should not suppose that they are secure from punishment; they shall suffer a grievous

and went to attend the academic discourse of Imam Abu Hanifa (699-767). I studied Hadith and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) there. Whenever mother came to know about my discursions, she would grab my hands

helped me financially and I continued to learn from teaching classes. I became so well-grounded in Islamic jurisprudence that the Abbasid government appointed me to the position of Qazi. Now I began to sit

offered pistachio porridge. Harun alRashid asked me to eat it. I asked: O leader of the faithful, what is it? He replied, “This is a pistachio porridge.” Upon hearing this, I started laughing. The Caliph

As we learn from the history of Islam, the Makkans who had become dire opponents of the Prophet (and also the immediate reference of this verse) eventually embraced Islam. I derive an extended meaning

religions.5.WHAT IS IJTIHAD IN TODAY’S WORLD?Ijtihad is a principle to be followed in every age. It was used even at the time of the Prophet. Ijtihad means to reapply the teachings of Islam to a new situation

introduction to Islam, presented in simple and concise language, which might provide children with fundamental religious instruction and also be useful to adults who want to understand the teachings of Islam. By

consists of five parts, the names of which are as follows: The Way to Find God, The Teachings of Islam, The Good Life, The Garden of Paradise and The Fire of Hell. The Way to Find God The title of the

All these things and many others have something to say, but men pass them by without ever realizing what that something is. All celestial heights

As we learn from the history of Islam, the Makkans who had become dire opponents of the Prophet (and also the immediate reference of this verse) eventually embraced Islam. I derive an extended meaning from

religions.5.WHAT IS IJTIHAD IN TODAY’S WORLD?Ijtihad is a principle to be followed in every age. It was used even at the time of the Prophet. Ijtihad means to reapply the teachings of Islam to a new situation

Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are ‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s

all other loyalties aside, to become immersed in it to the exclusion of all other considerations. What could be the reason for this great change? It was due to the expectation of financial gain that the

Prophet and by objectively analyzing the present situation of the world. THE ERADICATION OF FITNA Islam emerged in the first quarter of the seventh century. At that time, monarchy was the order of the day

conviction in, which till that point had been seriously hindered by the prevalent religious oppression. Islam is the religion of nature, and in treading its path, it is non-discriminatory, finding room within

only very gradually reached its culmination. In the wake of the revolution in the first phase of Islam, religious freedom took a decisive course in history, spurred on in the initial stages by Muslim action

can find difficult to understand. In this way Islam has set forth, in the light of everyone’s personal experience, what behaviour may be indulged in and what behaviour has to be refrained from. According

It is true that Muslims are lagging behind Hindus, but this explanation is far from the truth. Islam never leads one to turn one’s gaze towards the past and overlook matters of progress. The real cause

Muslims’ backwardness in modern times is traceable to wrong guidance by incompetent leaders, not to Islam. The truth of the matter is that in modern times along with the emergence of science and technology

but it also makes it clear what the oneness of God means. This chapter presents the concept of God, purified of all human interpolation, for, prior to the advent of Islam, tampering with the sacred text

Almighty Being. The concept of One God is the actual beginning point and also the only source of Islamic teachings.